We've talked about Howard's feelings for Pearl and how, as loving as he may be, his affection is ultimately toxic and part of Pearl's downfall. How does she feel about her husband, though? Judging by everything that "X" reveals, Pearl has very little love for Howard at all.
Throughout the film, all of Howard's actions and desires revolve around Pearl and what she wants. The opposite is true of Pearl, who spends the entire movie doing nothing but pursuing her own desires. She starts killing the film crew that's on their property. She pressures Howard into having sex with her, even knowing the risks of his heart condition. At no point does Pearl show any concern for Howard, and even his death doesn't distract her from attempting to kill Maxine.
"Pearl" complicates this narrative, but only slightly. In the prequel, it seems like Pearl has some genuine feelings for Howard before he gets sent off to war. The longer the two are separated, however, the more Pearl feels the pull of her ambition and the more she worries about being trapped in her rural home forever. At the end, it feels more like she's staying with Howard out of pure desperation, and need of a collaborator, more than anything else.
